Auckland, Feb 23 (IANS) Commentator Simon Doull said that it may have not mattered if New Zealand batsman Devon Conway's unbeaten 99 against Australia in the first T20I had come before the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Conway went unsold at the auction and four days later, his innings helped New Zealand beat Australia by 53 runs in Christchurch.
After the innings, India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that Conway's innings came "four days late" indicating that it may have made a difference at the auction.
"Not sure it matters @ashwinravi99 NZ players have continually been overlooked for second rate Australians in the IPL for years. Seems outside of IPL big bash is the only comp looked at.. #player #NZcricket," tweeted Doull, a former New Zealand fast bowler, in reply to Ashwin, saying that performances in Australia's Big Bash League seems to be a bigger parameter for IPL teams for judging international players.
Doull then further explained his view. "Just some context. I did not mention any names so stop trolling. Since IPL started 94 Aussies at combined 886 Crore. 31 NZ players 212 Crore. Both countries have 6 first class teams and both have domestic T20 comps. It's more about timing and viewing of BBL. #balance #scouting," Doull tweeted.
New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Oil marketing companies have spared consumers of yet another petrol and diesel price hike even though the global oil market is on the boil with crude reaching within touching distance of year-high-level of $70 a barrel.
Petrol continues to be priced at Rs 91.17 a litre and diesel Rs 81.47 a litre in the capital on Saturday. Across the country too, the petrol and diesel price remained unchanged.
This is seventh consecutive day when pump prices of auto fuels have remains unchanged.
After a spike in global oil prices seen over last two weeks with crude price jumping close to $67 a barrel, prices had fallen to around $63 a barrel but it rose again to cross $69 a barrel mark now after after the OPEC+ decision to continue with crude production cut in April.
Petrol and diesel prices have been rising continuously since February 9. In the 14 increases since then, price have gone up by Rs 4.22 per litre for petrol while diesel rate has risen by Rs 4.34 a litre in Delhi.
The increase in the previous weeks has taken petrol to cross historic high levels of Rs 100 a litre in several cities across the country.
The petrol and diesel prices have increased 26 times in 2021 with the two auto fuels increasing by Rs 7.46 and Rs 7.60 per litre, respectively so far this year.
Oil companies executives said that petrol and diesel prices may increase further in coming days as retail prices may have to be balanced in line with global developments to prevent OMCs from making loss on sale of auto fuels.
--IANS
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